Education Roundup: Museum brings trunks full of history to schools

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If the children can't make it to the Tahoe Maritime Museum, then museum staff will take the exhibits to the children. That's the impetus behind the new Traveling Trunk program that aims to bring history to the classroom.

"The museum has a ton to offer local kids and we want them to be informed about this amazing place. Tahoe is full of history. They should know what happened here before them because it shaped how they are living here now," museum Public Programs Coordinator Katena Sanford said.

The program, which is free to all South Shore, North Shore and Truckee schools, focuses on how resource use and economies have evolved in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Sanford said she wants students to think about how different cultures change over time, from the nomadic Washoe people to the destination tourists of 2012.

"The ultimate goal is to get them to know the area's history better. To see the changes of how people survived in Lake Tahoe and to see how the economy has changed over time," Sanford said.

The Traveling Trunk program emphasizes a hands on approach that turns the students into historians and investigators, Sanford said. Groups will use authentic artifacts - some of which come from the maritime museum's collection - documents and photographs to determine how people survived in the area and what resources they valued.

Sanford said she will ask students to think about the jobs their parents do, and how those professions compare to what people in other time periods did for a living. And though modern South Lake Tahoe isn't a hunter-gatherer society, survival in a changing world is still at the root of our culture, she said.

Museums across the county have seen a decline in attendance, and Sanford said Traveling Trunk programs have become a way to keep museums viable even in the face of budget cuts that make field trips more difficult for schools.

The Traveling Trunk is already scheduled to visit a third grade class at Bijou Community School in early December, and Sanford hopes to expand the program beyond the classroom to other after-school activities or community events.

"Those kinds of programs - where you bring in the information so all kids can have exposure to it - that's what I really like," Lake Tahoe Unified School District Superintendent James Tarwater said.

The Tahoe Maritime Museum was founded in 1987 to preserve the maritime history of Tahoe. The nonprofit museum moved to its current location in Homewood, Calif., in 2008, and offers exhibits, family programs, and school tours. It is open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the winter.

The third annual Thanksgiving clothes giveaway at South Tahoe High School will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 14. Organized by STSH alumnus and rapper Dreda Dre, the giveaway will provide new and used clothes and blankets to students who need them. Donations can be dropped off at The Buttermuffin located at 2540 Lake Tahoe Blvd. or you can provide your address to facebook.com/dredadre for home-pickup.

WHS hosts Red Hut Burger Night

Whittell Warriors will host a burger night on Thursday, Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Red Hut near Ski Run located at 3660 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Enjoy burgers, homemade chips and soda for a $10 donation. All proceeds will support WHS athletic director Kathy Bluethman, who is currently in the hospital fighting cancer.

WHS hosts basketball tournament

Whittell High School will host a second fundraiser for WHS athletic director Kathy Bluethman on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Everyone is welcome to the Midnight Madness basketball tournament, which costs $10 per person and will take place at Whittell High School located at 240 Warrior Way, Zephyr Cove, Nev.

Children's Museum presents Super Saturday Science

The Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, located at 813 North Carson St., Carson City, Nev., will host a Saturday science event Nov. 17. Children can learn about geology taught by staff of the Makay School of Earth Science and Engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno. Reservations and required and classes are free with paid museum admission. For more information, call 775-884-2226.

Turkey Trot to be held Saturday

The 2012 Turkey Trot will take place on Nov. 17. Sign-ups starts at 10 a.m. and entry fees are $2 per runner. Races, which will start at the Parks and Recreation Complex located at 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd., range from 25 yards to 2.8 miles long. All ages are welcome to the event sponsored by the Tahoe Optimist Club. For more information, call 530-542-6056.

STHS guarantees 'White Christmas'

Students in South Tahoe High School's performing arts department will perform the musical "White Christmas" on Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. and on Dec. 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets will go on sale after Thanksgiving. For more information, call 530-541-4111, ext. 222.